DD not on team for school team nationals & devasted

[Eastpoint]

Does anyone have any advice as to how to deal with a child who has been selected for a school team for the last three years and has been dropped before the national championship? She is, unsurprisingly, devastated and doesn't want to go to school tomorrow as she says it will be so embarrassing. She is a non-travelling sub & the sports teacher has asked her to wear her kit in case anyone selected is unwell.

Thank you!

[greenandcabbagelooking]

I would be quite matter-of-fact about it. Along the lines of "you'd had three years of it, time to let someone else have a go. And someone might be ill or injured so you might get to play after all".

If she's going with them, she could make a banner to wave as a supporter. Depending on the sport, of course. More appririate for football or hockey than tennis!

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Poor dd. my dd had a similar thing but with an inter schools singing event despite being probably the only truly serious singer in the school and having taken part in small scale but professional musical theatre productions.

Ultimately the teacher has chosen the team they feel stands the most chance if winning. I would certainly say your dd is justified in not going to school in her kit - but take it in ready just in case. She can somewhere/some time to change if need be.

In dd's case a couple of more spiteful girls said such a shame you wernt picked to come as they were lining up for the minibus and she was going into school (she had wished them a nice time as she passed).

[Eastpoint]

Thank you for your responses. Actually although she's played for the school for three years she's never been picked for nationals before & so this year, when she's been selected for every match she was really excited. As I put in my op she is the only non-traveling member of the squad, hence her disappointment.

She'll be fine, I've emailed her tutor to let her know she might be a bit low tomorrow & she's going to go to the team breakfast to wish them all luck.

Thanks again.

[Eastpoint]

Another update - she is playing after all, we heard 1st thing from the captain. Hopefully this will give her a fright & encourage her to work harder (at everything or is that too much to hope for?).

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Fantastic.

I did point out to dd that whilst at external auditions all they care about is how she performs and they she will do as she is told at school they take more account of things like forgotten homework, marks in class etc.

[hmmmhmmm]

being a good team mate is really important. glad she is playing, but even if not then, to use the horrible American expression 'sucking it up' and being a good sport is more important in my opinion.